Quantum fluctuations and correlations in open quantum Dicke models

In the vicinity of ground-state phase transitions quantum correlations can display nonanalytic behavior and critical scaling. This signature of emergent collective effects has been widely investigated within a broad range of equilibrium settings. However, under nonequilibrium conditions, as found in open quantum many-body systems, characterizing quantum correlations near phase transitions is challenging. Moreover, the impact of local and collective dissipative processes on quantum correlations is not broadly understood. Here we consider as a paradigmatic setting the superradiant phase transition of the open quantum Dicke model and characterize quantum and classical correlations across the phase diagram. We develop an approach to quantum fluctuations which allows us to show that local dissipation, which cannot be treated within the commonly employed Holstein-Primakoff approximation, rather unexpectedly leads to an enhancement of collective quantum correlations, and to the emergence of a nonequilibrium superradiant phase in which the bosonic and spin degrees of freedom of the Dicke model are entangled.

Automated summary

Characterizing quantum correlations near phase transitions in open quantum many-body systems is challenging. In this study, the superradiant phase transition of the open quantum Dicke model is examined, showing that local dissipation unexpectedly enhances collective quantum correlations and leads to the emergence of entanglement between the bosonic and spin degrees of freedom in the Dicke model.